diff --git a/src/app_network.cpp b/src/app_network.cpp
index 57e5311..1224927 100644
--- a/src/app_network.cpp
+++ b/src/app_network.cpp
@@ -6224,6 +6224,8 @@ bool App::startConsolidation(const std::vector<services::NoteGroup>& groups, dou
         n.warning(TR("merge_keep_each_select"));
         return false;
     }
+    auto_consolidate_run_ = false;   // a user-started run is never treated as a silent auto cycle, even if an
+                                     // auto run was torn down (abort) with its flag not yet cleared
     n.success(TR("merge_started"));
     return true;   // syncing, the lock, a busy node and pending sends are the run's own pauses
 }